Arts & Entertainment
Ardmore Woman Lands Starring Role in Ambler Theater Production
Jessica Bedford is the dog star of "Sylvia" at the Act II Theater.
When someone is called a dog, it is usually not a compliment. But Ardmore resident Jessica Bedford has been happy to hear it, starring, as she is, in her upcoming role in Sylvia at the in Ambler.
Bedford plays a dog, the title role in , a romantic comedy by A.R. Gurney that first became a hit when it premiered off-Broadway in 1995, starring Sarah Jessica Parker.
“Sylvia is a stray dog who is flirtatious, rowdy, and very fun to play,” says Bedford, but she admits that she finds the physical life of playing a dog very challenging. “Dogs throw their bodies into things at 110 percent, so I've been pretty tired at the end of a rehearsal day.”
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To get ready for the part, Bedford says, “I have been watching my dog very closely.”
The play tells the story of a New York power couple, Greg, played by Greg Wood, and Kate, played by Mary Beth Scallen. The couple moves from the suburbs to the city expecting to enjoy their newly empty nest when Greg brings home an adorable stray dog (Sylvia / Bedford).
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Sylvia soon becomes the object of Greg’s attention and Kate soon finds herself wondering whether she can compete with the unconditional love from man’s best friend.
While Bedford is a relative newcomer to the Philadelphia theatre scene, She has performed previously at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Villanova Theatre and the .
Bedford received her master’s degree in theatre from and her undergraduate degree from DeSales University, where she is an adjunct faculty member. She also serves as the Director of Education at the Montgomery Theater in Souderton, Pa.
The final dress rehearsal of Sylvia will be open to the public on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m as a fundraiser, with the suggested $10 donation going to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
Regular performances of Sylvia are scheduled from September 6 through October 2.
The Act II Playhouse is located 56 E. Butler Ave, Ambler, PA For show times and ticket prices visit their website. For more information on PAWS, visit their website here.
